oops, I spoke too soon.

Remember a while back when I mentioned about whitening products being harmless, from what I could see? Well, looks like it is time for me to retract that statement. Recently China turned down shipments of SK-II, a very well-known Japanese product known for its effectiveness in whitening and brightening one's skin.

It supposedly contains various dangerous chemicals or other toxic components, the kinds that are banned in China. If even China has banned it, you know it has got to be quite bad! Moreover it is said that many whitening products contain mercury but do not disclose it in the ingredients list. Buyers beware!

What about having white skin in Asia, anyway? When I was a child, I liked my face best when tanned and rosy looking. White is nice and all (youth, elegance?) but at times I feel like my complexion is pasty-looking sickly pale!